HOW MANY TANKS? As Germany’s defense minister says a decision will come “soon” on whether Germany will sanction the export of its Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine and Poland asks permission, the debate over whether America’s stubborn refusal to contribute even a token number of its premier M1A2 Abrams tanks heats up.

On social media and cable TV interviews, former U.S. commanders argue the debate over how many and what kind of tanks are best for Ukraine is taking too long given the urgency of the coming Russian spring offensive.